If you have a trademark, you are going to want to protect it no matter what market you end up doing business in. If you decide to expand your business overseas, you’re going to want to find a way to protect any trademarks as well. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to protect your valuable intellectual property in different markets. An Orange County, California trademark lawyer can let you know more.

How Can I Protect a Trademark Overseas?

One great way to protect your trademark in multiple markets is by making use of the Madrid Protocol. This allows you to file a single application with the World Intellectual Property Organization. If you are approved, then you end up with protection in a variety of markets. 107 countries have signed onto this protocol, and that includes some of the biggest markets like the European Union and China.

Are There Any Limitations to the Madrid Protocol?

There are some things to keep in mind about the Madrid Protocol. You could run into complications if:

  • Your trademark application is denied in the first country it’s filed in
  • Local trademark offices of any country run into delays or other issues
  • The protocol does not cover a country you want to do business in

107 countries is a lot, but it’s not every potential market. This means that you may need to seek out other methods of protecting your trademark if you expand to other overseas markets.

Are There Other Organizations That Can Help Me Protect a Trademark Overseas?

There are also some other groups that allow people to apply for trademark protection in multiple countries at the same time. If you have a specific market in mind for your product, some of these organizations can make it much easier to protect your IP. Notable groups and agreements include:

European Union Trade Mark: As the name suggests, the EUTM system gives a trademark owner protection throughout the entire EU. Apply for a trademark and get approved with one application to get protection in all EU member states.

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization: ARIPO was formed by a number of English-speaking African nations including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and others.

The African Intellectual Property Organization: OAPI is governed by a group of French-speaking African nations. This includes Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and more.

Andean Pact: This is an agreement held by four South American countries. Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia all cooperate to provide certain rights to trademark holders.

Contact a Trademark Lawyer

Before you expand overseas, make sure that you know all of your options for protecting your trademarks and other valuable intellectual property. Contact Burns Patent Law and schedule a consultation today. We can tell you more about your options.